After giving you a miss in Devdas, how did Sanjay Leela Bhansali convince you for Saawariya?
Sanjay Leela Bhansali just called me up one day and told me he was making a love story and wanted me to be a part of it. Before that we were to work on Bajirao Mastani but there were some date problems and the film got postponed. SLB decided to direct the love story with Sonam and Ranbir Kapoor first.

Your character in the film remains a dark mystery still.
I play a Muslim character called Iman. I love the name because my father wants to name my son Iman. You know it sounds good, Salim, Salman and Iman! But I would love to call my son prince Salim or Changez Khan (laughs). Iman is a mind-blowing character. He is a little khadus, speaks harshly but there’s a lot of humour in him. He is romantic and flirtatious.

This is your third film with SLB. How has your association changed over the years?
I remember he came to me with Khamoshi – The Musical when nobody was willing to do his film. When I read the script I realised it was not commercially viable, but I loved it anyway. I had nothing much to do in the film but I took it up only because of the script. I incorporated humour in my character which SLB didn’t like because he wanted my character to be serious. Eventually, he shot both ways and on the editing table liked my light-hearted character and retained it. SLB hasn’t changed at all. Even when he didn’t have a penny in his pocket he made lavish films and he’s doing that even today. Many a times he goes over-budget and it shows in the film. It shows what a fine technician and director he is.

With Saawariya and Om Shanti Om (OSO) releasing on the same day, don’t you think it will cut into each other’s collections?
No, I think it’s a good thing for both the films. If Saawariya came first, it would have affected OSO and vice versa. In any case I have a special appearance in OSO, so it’s good for me that are both releasing simultaneously. I am concerned though for Ranbir and Sonam as they are both simply fantastic. God forbid, if the film doesn’t do well they can take heart that they were pitted against a SRK starrer and start again.

Salman Khan In Saawariya

Last year you had Jaan-e-Mann clashing with Don and the latter had a headstart while Jaaneman nosedived?
I think it’s my fault. I have realised that when you are part of a project you have to promote it. The problem with Jaan-e-Mann was that nobody felt the urgency to see it.Is it true that you had refused Madam Tussauds offer?
No, I am doing it. Initially, I thought it was a joke. Then I was told that my fans had voted for me. Many big Indian personalities are there and it is an honour to have a statue there.

What next after Saawariya?
I am doing the remake of the Telugu blockbuster Pokhiri, Main Aur Mrs. Khanna with Sohail Khan, Subhash Ghai’s Yuvraj. Then there’s Tarzan,a film for children and a period film Veer.

Aren’t you scripting any films?
No. After Baaghi and Chandramukhi I haven’t ventured into it again.

Have you signed a three-film deal with Ashtavinayak?
No, it is only a one film deal.

Interview Courtesy : Screen India

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